M. Weeks Welding Laboratory Testing & School

This 300-clock-hour combination program contains five sequential 60-hour SMAW levels, with 20 total theory hours and 280 lab hours. Course 1 covers carbon-steel plate fillet and tee welds in 1F, 2F, 3F and 4F; Course 2 covers closed V-groove plate in 1G through 4G; Course 3 advances to open V-groove plate in 1G through 4G; Course 4 moves to open V-groove carbon-steel pipe in 1G and 2G; and Course 5 covers pipe in 5G and 6G. The progression includes light and heavy structural plate, ships, tanks and pressure-vessel plate, shop fabrication and field pipe erection. Students practice flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead work and oxygen-acetylene cutting of plate and pipe with hand, track and machine-operated equipment. The five levels are also published as individual options: Courses 1–3 are $1,500 each and Courses 4–5 are $1,800 each, with a $50 registration fee added to a single course. The combination includes an ASME performance qualification test and record.

This 300-clock-hour GTAW combination program contains Courses 12–16, each published as a 60-hour level, with 20 total theory hours and 280 lab hours. Course 12 covers carbon-steel plate fillet and tee welds in 1F through 4F; Course 13 covers closed V-groove plate in 1G through 4G; Course 14 is listed in the main course table as open V-groove plate in 1G through 4G; Course 15 covers open V-groove carbon-steel pipe in 1G and 2G; and Course 16 covers pipe in 5G and 6G. Training develops gas-flow and amperage control, torch handling, weld placement and troubleshooting. Students must have completed Course 6 or have comparable field experience and must pass an SMAW welding test before entering Course 12. Individual levels may be taken separately at the school director’s discretion: Courses 12–14 are $1,800 each and Courses 15–16 are $2,200 each, plus the school’s $50 single-course registration fee. The combination includes an ASME performance qualification test and record.

This 600-clock-hour combination pathway joins the five-level SMAW sequence with GTAW Courses 12–16 in ten levels that the school says must be taken in order. Its 40 theory hours and 560 lab hours progress through SMAW plate fillet and tee welding, closed and open V-groove plate, and open V-groove pipe, followed by GTAW plate fillet and tee work, closed and open V-grooves, and pipe levels. The underlying work includes carbon-steel structural plate, shop fabrication, field pipe welding, flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, and oxygen-acetylene cutting with hand, track and machine-operated equipment. Graduates practice both Stick and TIG process setup, heat and speed control, bead placement and troubleshooting. The published combination includes all 600 hours from Courses 1–5 and 12–16 and includes an ASME performance qualification test and record.

This group contains eight 20-clock-hour options for experienced welders who need advanced practice, a refresher after time away from welding, preparation for an employer test, or upgrading of previously learned skills. Course 17 covers SMAW open V-groove carbon steel in all fillet and groove positions ($650); Course 18 covers SMAW carbon-steel pipe in 2G, 5G and 6G ($750); Course 22 covers GTAW carbon-steel fillet and closed V-groove work in all fillet and groove positions ($750); and Course 23 covers GTAW open V-groove carbon-steel pipe in 2G, 5G and 6G ($850). Material-specific GTAW pipe options in 2G, 5G and 6G are Course 24 chrome-moly ($1,800), Course 25 stainless steel ($1,850), Course 26 nickel ($1,850), and Course 27 aluminum ($2,250). The school also describes special industrial training involving carbon steels, chrome, stainless steel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel and aluminum. Enrollment requires previous welding experience; when the director cannot verify that experience, the applicant must complete an observed welding test.